spadufI Fell Down the Alt-Right Rabbit Hole. Eventually, I Climbed My Way Out.
SighBapanadaAs someone who used to be obsessed with Jordan Peterson and had a similar 180 transformation, this is super familiar to me. I remember speaking up at work against critical race theory in a meeting. I look back on that now with huge embarrassment of who I used to be. I was actively working against the things that I stand for now. I’m super grateful to breadtube creators for pulling me out. I still have friends in my life who are like this and I can’t seem to break them out. All I can do is try to be a better example
Why would you take about that in a work meeting?!
During the meeting my boss asked us our thoughts about a recent diversity/equality training session we just had. Everyone said it was fine and interesting but I took the opportunity to be insufferable and soapbox. Like I said, I’m entirely embarrassed about it now and glad they didn’t really listen to me
Okay but for further situations, “the training was great” is always an acceptable response. Maybe throw an “I can send you my feedback through later through mail/hr survey”
I mean Jesus
I think I can provide some insight. In the mind of an alt-right person/Peterson-fan, there exists to them a “silent majority” who believes the same things they do, but are too afraid to speak up. This is the delusion that I was under, as well as the OP in the linked article who spoke out in the middle of class to lambast a trans person. In both situations, they think that others secretly agree with them and will come out of the woodwork to support them. Of course there’s no reason to assume that people are being quiet because they’re afraid, rather than because they actually disagree with you.
Rather than imagine a full psychology mumbo jumbo, I just think he clearly lacks tact and maybe a bit of common sense which I get because maybe he was younger at the time?. You should never do politics/social issues at work, you just don’t. It’s bad shop policy for harmony at work places to touch a subject which might be sensitive to you or someone else and even yet if people do, you RESPECT them and their opinions. Going beyond that is just asking for trouble in my experience
Give him a break, he is at least admitting his mistake and has reformed his opinions. I am sure it was a difficult journey, and he should be celebrated for making it out.
insert Paarthurnax quote